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RAW MATERIALS FOR FRP PRODUCT MANUFACTURING
The resin in fiberglass (FRP) products. It firmly bonds glass fibers together, transfers and distributes loads, and determines the product's chemical resistance, heat resistance, aging resistance, and ultimately, its mechanical properties.
Products Description
The resin in fiberglass (FRP) products . It firmly bonds glass fibers together, transfers and distributes loads, and determines the product's chemical resistance, heat resistance, aging resistance, and ultimately, its mechanical properties.
Mainstream resin types and their properties
The three most commonly used thermosetting resins in fiberglass products are:
1. Unsaturated polyester resin - the most common and widely used type.
This is the most widely used and lowest-cost type of resin.
Low cost and good economic efficiency.
It has excellent processability and is suitable for various processes such as hand lay-up, winding, spraying, and molding.
It cures quickly and has high production efficiency.
There are many varieties, and different properties can be obtained by adjusting the formula.
Main type: Ortho: General type, used for ordinary products.
isophthalic (ISO): It has better water and chemical corrosion resistance and is often used in corrosion-resistant storage tanks and pipelines.
Bisphenol A type: Excellent corrosion resistance, especially alkali resistance, suitable for chemical environments.
Vinyl ester resins: Their properties fall between those of unsaturated polyesters and epoxy resins, and they are often classified separately (see below).
2. Vinyl ester resin - "High-performance" unsaturated polyester
It is derived from epoxy resin modification, combining the excellent processability of unsaturated polyester with the outstanding corrosion resistance of epoxy resin.
Advantage:
superior corrosion resistance and resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents compared to unsaturated polyesters.
has good toughness and strong resistance to microcracks.
It has strong adhesion to glass fiber.
Lower shrinkage rate.
Shortcoming:
The cost is higher than that of unsaturated polyester .
The viscosity may be high, and sometimes heating or the addition of a diluent may be necessary.
Applications: It is the preferred material in the field of chemical corrosion protection (such as large storage tanks, scrubbing towers, and chimneys) .
Epoxy Resin - A Representative of High Performance
It is known for its excellent mechanical properties and bond strength.
Advantage:
Extremely high mechanical strength and stiffness.
It has excellent bonding strength and excellent adhesion to various fibers.
Low shrinkage rate (1-3%), precise product dimensions, and low internal stress.
Excellent chemical and heat resistance.
shortcoming:
It has the highest cost .
The curing cycle is relatively long, and heating is usually required for curing to achieve optimal performance.
Some curing agents are toxic, so precautions should be taken.
It has stringent requirements for the process environment (temperature and humidity).
Applications: Aerospace, military, high-performance sports equipment (such as fishing rods and bicycle frames), electronic insulation, and corrosion protection projects requiring extremely high strength and durability.
How to choose resin?
First, determine the performance level : If your product doesn't require high strength and corrosion resistance, and you're looking for maximum cost-effectiveness, unsaturated polyester resin is the starting point. If you're looking for superior mechanical properties, consider epoxy resin directly . If you need excellent corrosion resistance and toughness in between, vinyl ester resin is the ideal choice.
Further refine within the same category : After determining the broad resin types, select subcategories based on specific needs. For example, in the field of corrosion protection, a clear performance and cost gradient can be formed, ranging from isophthalic/bisphenol A type unsaturated polyesters to more advanced vinyl ester resins .
Final confirmation : After finalizing the general direction, it is still necessary to communicate with material suppliers to determine the most suitable resin grade based on the specific process methods, curing conditions, and product usage environment (media in contact with the product, temperature).
Key components of the resin system
What we usually refer to as "resin" is actually a system that includes...
Resin body: main component.
Curing agent: A substance that initiates a cross-linking reaction.
Accelerator: In unsaturated polyester/vinyl ester systems, it works in conjunction with a curing agent (usually a peroxide) to achieve room temperature curing.
Additive:
Pigments/color pastes: give products color.
Fillers, such as calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide, are used to reduce costs, reduce shrinkage, and improve flame retardancy.
Flame retardants: improve the fire resistance rating of the product.
UV absorber: Improves weather resistance.
Summarize
Pursuit of economy and versatility -> Unsaturated polyester resin
To withstand harsh chemical corrosion environments -> Vinyl ester resin
For ultimate strength and performance -> epoxy resin
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